knowing VoIP voice over internet phone service

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Understanding VoIP

What is VoIP? It stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that lets you make telephone calls over the Internet, rather than a regular phone line. Which is almost always cheaper.

In order to use VoIP, both sender and receiver need to have a "broadband" connection. This is a high-speed Internet connection usually provided by cable or a DSL modem. Broadband modems are usually used to connect computers to the Internet, but in the case of VoIP, computers are not necessary, because now there are telephones that connect directly.

High-Speed Connection

The simplest form of VoIP is a computer-to-computer voice connection. The only requirements: a computer with a broadband connection, a headset consisting of earphones and microphone, and VoIP software.

Most VoIP software packages are free (you can download one from the Internet at versiontracker.com), and they allow you to connect to any computer that also has VoIP software. The only time that both parties need the same VoIP software package is when they are making computer-to-computer calls. There is no charge for this type of connection, and calls can be made to anywhere in the world.

VoIP software can also be used to connect to landline phones, that is, phones that are not connected directly to the Internet. This type of call is usually not free, but still costs quite a bit less than your telephone company charges. Some VoIP services also allow you to make calls to cellular phones. Parties receiving landline or cellular calls do not need any extra equipment or software.

Your Voice Becomes Data

VoIP is based on digital data transmission. So, the first step in any VoIP call is to convert the analog human voice into digital data and divide itl into groups of numbers. The next step is to compress the data to reduces the data size as much as possible without sacrificing audio quality.

The compressed digital data is then divided into packets which adds information about their destination and their place in the data stream.

Multi-Layer Transmission

Now you probably don't need to know about this section of techno-speak, so feel free to skip to the final section. I won't be offended.

All data sent over the Internet has discrete layers to aid in its accurate delivery. For example, a network layer specifies destination and origin addresses, a transport layer creates a connection between 2 computers, and an application layer might allow a page to be displayed correctly at the receiving end.

is a very high-speed protocol. A commonly used application layer is Real-time Transmission Protocol, which provides information about the sequence of the data packets, so they can be reconstructed in the correct order at their destination.

Data Becomes Voice

If packets do not arrive within a certain time limit, they are dropped. This is necessary to avoid unacceptable delays in the audio stream. Even though some packets are sometimes dropped, there is usually enough information left to make the conversation understandable. The number of packets that are dropped depends on the speed of your Internet connection and the distance between the 2parties.

Once the voice data has arrived at its destination, it is reassembled in the correct order and converted from digital back to analog -- the sound of your voice.

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Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit voip-solutions-now.com [http://www.voip-solutions-now.com] to learn more about this fascinating trading vehicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/73549

 

VOIP internet phone Communication gadget phone equipment

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The marriage of computer and telephone technology goes by the funny name of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). But the cost savings are no laughing matter.

The Simplest Solution -- Headphones

Attach a headset to your computer's sound card and you can try VOIP for free!

Download any one of the many VOIP software packages -- Skype, Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and Net2Phone are some of the big names. Install and invite your buddies to install the same software. It's that easy to set up. Special features like call display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calls are also free as long as both parties are using computers.

It's even easier to use. Just click on a name to start a call. Most of these so-called "soft phones" allow you to place and receive calls at no charge to and from anywhere in the world, so long as you are not connecting to cellular or landline phones.

Internet Phones

The next step up from headsets is Internet phones. They plug into the USB port or sound card of your computer.

Because you still need VOIP software installed on your computer to make and receive calls, these phones are also considered soft phones. But they seem more like "real" telephones because they ring, have regular number pads and are used like conventional phones.

Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)

Progressing up the VOIP ladder, ATA is next. It allows you to connect a regular analog telephone to a broadband modem. It is usually free when you sign up with a provider, similar to signing up with a telephone company. There is a monthly charge for this service, and you may have to sign a contract committing you to that provider for a specified period.

Using an ATA for Internet phone calls is straightforward. You pick up the phone and dial a number. Anyone calling you won't even know that you are using VOIP.

A computer is not needed for this kind of link. It connects to either a DSL modem linked to your phone line or cable modem attached to your cable television connection. Any traditional telephone can also be plugged into an ATA.

You can even take your ATA with you when you're traveling and receive phone calls from anywhere by connecting it to any broadband modem. Calls to your home phone number will be routed to your ATA (which has a unique identification) at the same cost as the call to your residence.

IP Phone

The final VOIP option is an IP phone (not the same as an Internet Phone). IP phones plug directly into the modem; Internet phones plug into the sound card or USB port of your computer.

An IP phone is a handset that has all the hardware and software built into it. You connect an IP phone to a broadband modem, then make or receive calls the same way that you would with an ATA.
The advantage of an IP phone over an ATA is that it is a completely integrated unit. You don't need an extra telephone to plug into it. Another IP phone advantage is that your phone numbers are all stored and the display screen provides information about incoming calls.

There you have it: 4 choices that will all add up to substantial telephone savings.

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit voip-solutions-now [http://www.voip-solutions-now.com].com to learn more about this subject.

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Pros-Cons Of Getting VOIP internet phone

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You have a telephone, right? You have a computer, right? You want to save money, right? BAM, you are a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) candidate.
It is inevitable that VOIP will replace traditional telephone service at some point. The only question is when should you jump in?

VOIP is quickly becoming more reliable and receiving wider acceptance. In fact, phone companies are already taking advantage of the technology to provide cheaper long distance rates. Like any emerging technology, however, there are kinks in the system that are still being worked out.

Advantages
VOIP has many advantages over regular phone service. One primary advantage is its low cost. If you have a fast Internet connection (DSL or cable), you can make PC-to-PC phone calls anywhere in the world FREE. PC-to-phone connections usually have a charge, but probably still cheaper than regular phone service.
You can sign up with a VOIP service provider for a monthly fee and get unlimited calls within a specified geographic area. For example, some VOIP services in the United States allow connections anywhere in North America for no extra charge. International calls are charged at a modest rate.

Another advantage is its portability. You can make and receive phone calls wherever there is a broadband connection by simply signing in to your VOIP account. This makes VOIP as convenient as e-mail. When you're traveling, you simply pack a headset or Internet phone; then you can talk to family or colleagues for next to nothing.

Phone-to-phone VOIP is also portable. Internet phones are small and light enough to take anywhere. When you sign up with a VOIP service provider, the Internet phone or adaptor used by that service is assigned a unique number. This 'phone number' remains valid, even if your VOIP service is in Los Angeles and you're connected to the Internet in London. When plugged into a broadband connection, anywhere in the world, you can make and receive calls as though you were at home .

Features like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID and 3way-calling, are included with Internet telephone at no extra charge. While you're talking on the phone, you can send pictures and documents at the same time.

Disadvantages
There are a few glitches that still interfere with the technology's broad acceptance by the public. Lack of continuous service during power outages and emergency calling are the 2 biggest hurdles.
Conventional phone service continues by the current supplied through the phone lineduring a blackout. This isn't possible with Internet phones. When the power goes, there goes VOIP service. Battery backups and power generators that provide electricity are the current solutions to this problem.

A major concern involves emergency 911 calls. For the most part, VOIP services aren't useful in emergencies. Traditional phone equipment can trace the locations of calls. Emergency calls are diverted to the nearest call center where the operator can identify your location, in the event you can't talk. With VOIP, there is no way currently to determine where Internet calls are originating. There is an emerging standard called e911 however, which is attempting to solve this limitation.

VOIP also has sound quality and reliability problems. Data sent across the Internet usually arrives at its destination scrambled. E-mail and documents can be reassembled in the correct order when it arrives. Voice data also arrives scrambled, but it's more complicated because of the real-time nature of VOIP. Some data packets may have to be dropped when they don't arrive in time, in order to make voice connections with the least delay. This can cause brief silences in the audio stream.

Distance and speed of the connection determine the amount of data lost. Some networks receive more traffic and thus are more likely to cause audio dropouts. One way to provide high quality audio connections is to create dedicated data paths.

With the incredible amount of work dedicated to VOIP, these disadvantages will no doubt be resolved withinin the next 2 years. It is expected that by then VOIP will have widespread consumer acceptance.

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Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit voip-solutions-now [http://www.voip-solutions-now.com] to learn more about this subject.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/74261